Fifth generation (MD/UD facelift)
2016 Hyundai Elantra
The most reported problem on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra is stalling, with 52 complaints, usually around 75,000 miles.
- 292owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 22involved a crash
- 60,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Elantra doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra has 292 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.3 times the median of 232 for 2016 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Elantra model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 27 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs well under the 2017 (77). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Stalling has 52 complaints and engine failure has 42, out of 292 in all. A quarter of the 28 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 47,000 miles, and half by about 75,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 29 of the 292 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 22 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 17 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 15 of 22, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (26V-307). Stalling and engine failure have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2023 at 38 and have dropped every year since, to 19 in 2025. So far in 2026, 20 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 52 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
292 complaints is 1.2 times the median 2016 model on this site and 1.3 times the median 2016 sedan. Among the 9 Elantra model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai filed 131 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. 18 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 7 bulletins · 42 complaints
The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs ...
Certain vehicles listed below may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
5 more on this problem
Certain vehicles may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise, or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect an engine exhibiting noise between the cylinder block and piston due to possible scuffing on one or more cylinder walls.
The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage or malfunction is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date ...
Certain vehicles that have completed Service Campaign 966 may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
The Powertrain warranty coverage for the engine short block, consisting of the engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons, for damage related to a piston slap noise in the upper end of the engine as described in TSB # 21-EM-001H has been extended.
Engine knocking or ticking 3 bulletins · 23 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
1 more on this problem
Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Check engine light or misfire 2 bulletins · 22 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 15 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) ...
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 10 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4.
If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 10 complaints
In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of ...
Paint peels or body rusts 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of ...
Complaints filed by year
38 complaints came in 2023. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities. Closed jun 20, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
All 2 recalls on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
Stalling, with 52 of the 292 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 75,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Of the 147 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 25,000 miles and half by about 60,000.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has fewer complaints than the 2017: 27 a year against 77.
How many 2016 Hyundai Elantra complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
29 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
No recall on file for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra is on the same system as stalling. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.